State Senator Krist will join 2018 Nebraska governor's race

Krist will be challenging incumbent Governor Pete Ricketts. Krist will no longer be a member of the Republican Party and will change his party affiliation to non-partisan. Krist said Wednesday he wants to bring a more independent-minded attitude to state government and fix issues within the Department of Correctional Services.

In 2009, Krist was appointed to the state legislature by then-governor Dave Heineman. He was elected the following year and re-elected four years later.